A 37-year-old man from Beitbridge, identified as Muleya, has been sentenced to nine years in prison following his arrest for the illegal possession of a pangolin, a highly endangered species valued at US$3 000.
The incident unfolded on May 14 when police and officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority received a tip-off about Muleya’s illicit activities in the Makhado area, where he was reportedly seeking buyers for the pangolin.
Authorities orchestrated a sting operation, arranging a meeting with him at Makhado Ranch. Muleya arrived in a Nissan AD Van and entered the investigation team’s vehicle, where he negotiated the sale of the pangolin, which was found stored in a white plastic bucket.
After settling on a price of US$3,000, investigators requested Muleya to present a valid permit that would legally allow him to possess the pangolin.
However, he was unable to produce any such documentation, which led to his immediate arrest.
The prosecution emphasized the importance of protecting endangered species, highlighting the legal implications of wildlife trafficking.
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